Review by chantisma -- McDowell by William H. Coles
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Review by chantisma -- McDowell by William H. Coles
[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]
McDowell by William H. Coles is produced in two parts. Part One began in 1981 in Nepal. The principal character, Hiram McDowell is an over-achiever that is determined to climb every peak above 8,000 meters in Nepal. We begin following his career as a lauded surgeon as he ascends to the top of his profession. He establishes a successful foundation in Kathmandu and continues to undertake everything in his life at warp speed. Hiram is critical of everyone and believes the world exists to serve him. He’s arrogant, self-centered, and callous. His demeanor angers his friends and colleagues who vow to ruin him. He is an extremely complex man capable of producing things for gain. He is not malicious but extraordinarily ambitious. We see his remarkably clever and crafty demeanor when independent investigations of the finances and reorganization of his foundation were brought forth. A consultation with his lawyers is necessary to develop a paper trail to exonerate him from any wrongdoing. When Hiram becomes a member of the President’s cabinet, he is at the height of his success.
Hiram has had three failed marriages and five children. He is calculating, ambitious, and very domineering with his children. His grandson Jeremy goes on a horrendous murder spree. He is in a coma after his unsuccessful suicide attempt. He is unresponsive with most of his face blown off and on life support. Hiram takes control of this intense situation, and the result of his actions will alter his life forever. Will he recover from it or will the mighty fall?
Part Two of McDowell concentrate on Hiram’s life after he is found guilty of his actions resulting in the death of Jeremy. “Can people change for the better after a life-changing event?”
William H. Coles has created a mystery with many sub-plots and can be hard to follow. Pay close attention to the chapter headings, specifically in Part Two to better follow the story’s characters involved. While the narrative jumps around, each storyline is an integral part of Hiram’s tale and existence. After completing this fast-paced novel, I felt Part One can be referred to as “Before the Fall” and Part Two, “After the Fall.” Some of the characters are so insignificant and play a particularly small part in the story, while others will dominate a major portion of the storyline and keep it moving to an extremely exciting ending. Even after his fall, he was never content unless he was producing something. He felt he was judge wrongly and wanted to prove it in his memoir, so he could return to a fruitful life and his family.
William H. Coles is a retired Ophthalmologist and used life experiences in developing an entertaining story McDowell. His references to Hiram’s medical field and travels around the world and the United States, incorporated fascinating facts in the tale. I particularly enjoyed Hiram’s travels around the United States in Part Two and how he relied on his deviousness and mountain climbing experiences.
I would not classify this novel as a thriller but more mystery and some light suspense. Even though Hiram enjoyed women and critiqued them poorly, frequently referring to their weight and lustiness. Only one section took the story to the bedroom, where the sexual overtones were minor and not found offensive. We never discover why he looks down on women. I found it also interesting he didn’t seem to be bothered by his daughter that was a lesbian. There was no profanity in this novel. McDowell was very professionally edited.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading McDowell and would rate this novel a 4 out of 4 and recommend it to anyone interested in mysteries.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
McDowell by William H. Coles is produced in two parts. Part One began in 1981 in Nepal. The principal character, Hiram McDowell is an over-achiever that is determined to climb every peak above 8,000 meters in Nepal. We begin following his career as a lauded surgeon as he ascends to the top of his profession. He establishes a successful foundation in Kathmandu and continues to undertake everything in his life at warp speed. Hiram is critical of everyone and believes the world exists to serve him. He’s arrogant, self-centered, and callous. His demeanor angers his friends and colleagues who vow to ruin him. He is an extremely complex man capable of producing things for gain. He is not malicious but extraordinarily ambitious. We see his remarkably clever and crafty demeanor when independent investigations of the finances and reorganization of his foundation were brought forth. A consultation with his lawyers is necessary to develop a paper trail to exonerate him from any wrongdoing. When Hiram becomes a member of the President’s cabinet, he is at the height of his success.
Hiram has had three failed marriages and five children. He is calculating, ambitious, and very domineering with his children. His grandson Jeremy goes on a horrendous murder spree. He is in a coma after his unsuccessful suicide attempt. He is unresponsive with most of his face blown off and on life support. Hiram takes control of this intense situation, and the result of his actions will alter his life forever. Will he recover from it or will the mighty fall?
Part Two of McDowell concentrate on Hiram’s life after he is found guilty of his actions resulting in the death of Jeremy. “Can people change for the better after a life-changing event?”
William H. Coles has created a mystery with many sub-plots and can be hard to follow. Pay close attention to the chapter headings, specifically in Part Two to better follow the story’s characters involved. While the narrative jumps around, each storyline is an integral part of Hiram’s tale and existence. After completing this fast-paced novel, I felt Part One can be referred to as “Before the Fall” and Part Two, “After the Fall.” Some of the characters are so insignificant and play a particularly small part in the story, while others will dominate a major portion of the storyline and keep it moving to an extremely exciting ending. Even after his fall, he was never content unless he was producing something. He felt he was judge wrongly and wanted to prove it in his memoir, so he could return to a fruitful life and his family.
William H. Coles is a retired Ophthalmologist and used life experiences in developing an entertaining story McDowell. His references to Hiram’s medical field and travels around the world and the United States, incorporated fascinating facts in the tale. I particularly enjoyed Hiram’s travels around the United States in Part Two and how he relied on his deviousness and mountain climbing experiences.
I would not classify this novel as a thriller but more mystery and some light suspense. Even though Hiram enjoyed women and critiqued them poorly, frequently referring to their weight and lustiness. Only one section took the story to the bedroom, where the sexual overtones were minor and not found offensive. We never discover why he looks down on women. I found it also interesting he didn’t seem to be bothered by his daughter that was a lesbian. There was no profanity in this novel. McDowell was very professionally edited.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading McDowell and would rate this novel a 4 out of 4 and recommend it to anyone interested in mysteries.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: McDowell by William H. Coles
